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Please help - Newbie

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 8:29 pm
by Rich4658
Hi all, hope this is the right place to ask this, my friend and I are TT regulars and absolutely love watching. This year all we've talked about is wanting to have a go and maybe try our hands at some club racing. The ultimate dream is to many years down the line attempt to qualify for TT. We're not stupid tho we know the competitors are extremely talented and we've only got a slim hope but got to have dreams.
Basically we know nothing except i want to drive and he wants to passenger an f2. I'm from Cornwall and he's from Taunton but will travel anywhere.
Before we get too carried away we obviously want to try before we buy, I've got a nice rare ex bsb support race Harley xr1200 which I've got road legal that could supply funds for a starter outfit but before I sell it and buy blind id need to know if we're ok enough to sell my pride and joy and go for it.
So I suppose my main question is are there any track days that do sidecars we can try. I've done a lot of googling and got nowhere. Or if anyone has any ideas or advice how to get two absolute green horns started it would be gratefully received.
Thanks and sorry my post is so long

Re: Please help - Newbie

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 9:50 pm
by Haynesy
Gald you enjoyed the sidecars at the TT!

It's going to be hard to find the chance to try driving an outfit before you buy one I'm afraid. You'll need a licence to try one on a track at a test day (unless you van get to Teeside when they have a test day and there's someone there with an outfit willing to let you have a go!). Best try is to find someone selling an F2 and talk to them and see what arrangement you can come to - but it'll be hard to get a go on track before you've paid for it and taken the test - which for drivers has a practical element!

Your passenger can keep an eye out for when they do taxi rides at some clubs to get an idea if they're up for that bit o the task - its not for everyone and people will respect the fact someone has a go and then decides to walk away.

Get along to some club meetings and chat to folk - best way to get a better idea about what its all about and if you're then serious about buying a starter outfit then word of mouth is the best way to track one down.

All the best and hope you both get going with it all.

Re: Please help - Newbie

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 10:04 pm
by paul33
You have a PM cheers

Re: Please help - Newbie

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 10:16 pm
by Rich4658
Thanks for the response. Yeah I've always enjoyed watching I remember going to Assen for the first bsb outside of Britain and there was a passenger known for doing a handstand and we've always watched a tt. Were early 30's and the competitors give us hope it's never too late.
It's such a shame nowhere does track days/taster sessions because it's a big thing to sell my bikes to buy a starter outfit. Are there any club meets you'd recommend
Cheers

Re: Please help - Newbie

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 11:20 pm
by pushrod
CRMC do taxi rides at a few meetings, and although they're classics they're still pdq. :notworthy:
Maybe you could both have a go, just to get the feel of what it's like... :D

Re: Please help - Newbie

Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 12:31 am
by Rich4658
Ideal cheers I'll check it out

Re: Please help - Newbie

Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 7:48 am
by Rich4658
Once your set up with the outfit and leathers etc how much does a season with a club roughly cost? My Mrs and mate are concerned about the money because the money from my bikes won't last long after buying the initial stuff.

Cheers paul33 I've tried to pm you not sure if it's worked, but I'll text you.

Re: Please help - Newbie

Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 11:47 am
by pushrod
Rich4658 wrote:Once your set up with the outfit and leathers etc how much does a season with a club roughly cost? My Mrs and mate are concerned about the money because the money from my bikes won't last long after buying the initial stuff.

Cheers paul33 I've tried to pm you not sure if it's worked, but I'll text you.
You're gonna tell the missus how much it costs? :lol:

Brave man! :notworthy:

Re: Please help - Newbie

Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 8:53 pm
by Rich4658
It's going to be a long process but she enjoys the bikes she's been to a few gps and 5 TTs I think it is. Im cutting back being a football fan and that was 3500 a year. Wasted so much on that nonsense in the past. She's given the green light for a new van next year so I'll convince her it's all for her and the kids going camping with a bit of racing over the weekend !